Bushenyi security committee okays UPDF deployment to avert school attacks

Bushenyi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bushenyi District Security Committee has agreed on the deployment of the  Uganda Peoples Defence Forces-UPDF to beef security in the district following handwritten leaflets allegedly from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

The leaflets were dropped in Kyamuhunga Secondary School, Kyamuhunga Central and Kabingo Model Primary Schools in Bushenyi District warning that the ADF will attack the schools if they do not close within two weeks. The leaflets also threaten to kill any teachers or students who will remain at the schools after the deadline.

The committee has resolved to have full-time joint patrols of police and UPDF, set up checkpoints at major urban and rural roads, screen residents, and strict access control for public spaces and events.

Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner Robert Atuhairwe is optimistic that the deployment of UPDF in the District will beef up police and private security teams had guarantee security for all residents and installations. He however added that the committee is yet to agree on whether the soldiers can be deployed at schools to man the gates alongside the watchmen.

He added that through his office they are drafting regulations that will be communicated to schools through the District Education Officer to beef up security at all schools.

The greater Bushenyi Police Spokesperson Marcial Tumusiime said that they have advised head teachers to communicate with the parents through the PTA and School Management Committees as they wait for guidelines from the office of the Resident District Commissioner’s office. He added that a team of Investigators from both police and UPDF has also been deployed to probe the source of the leaflets.

The leaflets come after the October 17 attack in which three lives were lost when suspected Allied Democratic Forces rebels attacked a tourist van in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese.

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